25.07.2023
New energy concept significantly reduces CO2 emissions at the site
Dortmund/Hof. The Wilo Group is investing in a sustainable energy concept at its Hof site. The construction of a local heating network started on Tuesday with a ground-breaking ceremony.
The network will soon be supplied by a biogas plant and a wood chip heating system on neighbouring farms. In future, the Wilo plant in Hof will be supplied exclusively with heat generated from biomass. In this way, the climate-neutral site reduces its annual CO2 emissions by a further 1,250 tonnes.
“With this construction project, we’re also creating an innovative, safe and sustainable solution for energy supply at Wilo’s second main production site in Germany”, explains Oliver Hermes, President & CEO of the Wilo Group. Only last year, Wilo commissioned the H2POWERPLANT hydrogen plant at the Wilopark Group headquarters in Dortmund. “Sustainable energy supply for industrial plants does not mean sacrificing security of supply. Creative solutions are needed”, Hermes continues.
Georg Weber, member of the Executive Board and CTO of the Wilo Group, adds: “The new energy concept in Hof is climate protection in action. In addition, we’re reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and strengthening the site. Everyone’s a winner – Wilo, the environment and the region.” Fittingly, the ground-breaking ceremony falls in an anniversary year. The plant, where sustainable solutions for water supply, sewage disposal and wastewater treatment technology are manufactured, has been part of the Wilo Group for 20 years. “The investment sends a strong signal and is testimony to our commitment to the region”, says site manager Thomas Lang.
Wilo is cooperating closely with farms in the immediate vicinity for the project. The biogas plant on a farm in the southwest of the plant is operated with slurry. The woodchip heating system on a farm to the north makes use of wood residues from Wilo production, which are processed into woodchips – around 300 tonnes annually.
Only last year, Wilo invested heavily in photovoltaic systems at the Hof site and significantly increased the proportion of its own electricity supply. Wilo’s production has been carbon neutral at Hof since as early as 2021, and in all European plants since last year. The multinational technology group’s goal is to make all its sites worldwide carbon neutral by 2025.